Coming Soon: Casual Dining at AMC’s Olathe Studio 30 Megaplex
By Jennifer Mann, The Kansas City Star, Mo.
Jul. 15–AMC Entertainment Inc. is converting a wing of its Olathe Studio 30 megaplex to offer dining-and-a-movie options, as well as a separate bar.
When completed in October, the wing will offer a total of eight auditoriums with the Fork & Screen concept, offering casual dining to movie viewers. Three others will be so-called Cinema Suites, featuring reserved seating, reclining seats and an expanded menu. Ticket prices are unaffected by the food offerings.
Additionally, the Olathe Studio 30 will open a bar, MacGuffins, named after a term associated with famed movie director Alfred Hitchcock. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines the term as “an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance.”
When completed, the Olathe megaplex will have 28 auditoriums, but the name of the theater complex will not change.
“Our concept builds off many of the differentiated food and beverage offerings that we have provided at several of our theatres over the years, and takes it to the next level,” Peter Brown, company chairman and chief executive officer, said in a release.
AMC, the second-largest exhibitor in the U.S., recently remodeled a small, six-screen multiplex in Atlanta it inherited through an acquisition to include dining options.
That theater offers six pages of dining and drink options, including such items as Thai coconut chicken tenders with a spicy peanut Sriracha and ginger ponzu sauces, wood roasted chicken, flatbread pizzas and desserts, including Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Prices in Atlanta range from $5.69 for homemade potato chips with two gourmet dipping sauces to $10.29 for the wood-roasted chicken. There will also be a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including signature cocktails such as strawberry and mango margaritas and apple and pomegranate martinis.
AMC and the Cordish Co., developer of Kansas City’s Power & Light District, are redeveloping the former Empire Theatre at 1400 Main St. AMC spokesman Justin Scott said that the Empire, which is being renamed the Main Street Theatre, may have a concept similar to the conversion taking place at the Olathe Studio 30, although specific plans are not available.
To reach Jennifer Mann, call 816-234-4453 or send e-mail to jmann@kcstar.com.
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